Press Releases

DEM Announces Completion of TLA/Pond View Facility Closure

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management announces that the closure and cleanup of the site of the former Trans-Load America (TLA)/Pond View recycling facility in East Providence has been completed.

Over the course of the past four months, 12,524 tons of material has been removed from the facility located at One Dexter Road. This includes 46 truckloads, or 820 tons of wood; 105 railcars carrying 9,677 tons of construction and demolition debris and post-recycled material; 42 truckloads and three railcars carrying 1,808 tons of construction and demolition fines, which have a dirt-like consistency; and 220 tons of metals.

TLA-Providence, LLC was the operator of the former TLA/Pond View construction and demolition debris processing facility that was put into Receivership in March 2012; the facility ceased operations on September 10, 2012. The materials that were removed during the cleanup had been left behind at the site when the recycling facility ceased business operation.

The cleanup and closure were conducted by the property owner of One Dexter Road in East Providence, under the terms of a Performance Agreement executed between the property owner and DEM. Throughout the closure, DEM monitored performance to ensure that the closure was completed satisfactorily and in accordance with all applicable requirements. In addition to DEM inspectors, the Department engaged an independent oversight contractor who was on site every day during the closure. Weekly construction meetings with a representative from DEM and the property owner were held at the site throughout the duration of the cleanup.

"DEM has monitored progress closely, and at a recent site visit, it was evident that the debris had been removed as planned. I am pleased to see the progress, and believe the closure operation has been successful," said DEM Director Janet Coit.

On August 26, environmental testing firm GZA GeoEnvironmental collected groundwater and surface water samples at the site, and the stormwater/leachate collection system has been pumped. DEM is awaiting the results of the surface and groundwater sampling that was conducted last week as the final step in the closure activity, and will summarize these results on the DEM TLA/Pond View Closure webpage in coming weeks. Pending receipt of that sampling information, DEM will terminate the operating license issued to TLA-Providence, LLC.

The owner of the property can perform any activities on the site allowed under state or local laws/permits/ordinances. DEM has received inquiries and complaints concerning general access, truck traffic, and moving equipment on the site which are outside of DEM's jurisdiction. Like other commercial and industrial properties across the state, there are many activities which DEM has no authority to control or regulate. Some of these issues may be subject to local ordinances, but DEM does not have jurisdiction to respond to these issues.

Information and updates on the closure of the former TLA/Pond View facility are posted on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov. Inquiries about the closure of the TLA/Pond View facility can be made by emailing DEM at TLAPondViewClosure@dem.ri.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check the DEM TLA/Pond View Closure webpage for additional information.